Pakistan vs Bangladesh Prediction: Both teams scored under 100 runs in their respective games

Pakistan and Bangladesh are going head to head in the third-place playoffs of the Asian Games 2023 at Pingfeng Campus Cricket Field, Hangzhou on 7th October. Both teams scored under 100 runs in their respective games. Who will win this game?

Despite posting modest totals, Pakistan's bowlers showcased their potential by capturing six wickets while defending their score. They managed to dismiss Hong Kong for just 92 runs in the Quarter-Final. Bangladesh, on the other hand, faces its own set of challenges due to its relatively inexperienced squad. While they do have talents like all-rounder Afif Hossain and Test player Mahmudul Hasan Joy, the majority of their players have limited exposure to international cricket. Going up against a high-quality Pakistani bowling attack will undoubtedly pose a significant challenge for Saif Hassan and his team. It's imperative that Bangladesh's top order, including Zakir Khan and Afif Hossain, lays a strong foundation for the team's success in this match.

Omair Yousuf, Mirza Tahir Baig, Rohail Nazir (wk), Haider Ali, Qasim Akram (c), Khushdil Shah, Asif Ali, Arafat Minhas, Aamer Jamal, Sufiyan Muqeem, Usman Qadir

In the semi-finals, Bangladesh faced India and managed to score only 96 for 9 while batting first. On the other hand, Pakistan went up against a strong Afghanistan side and struggled to post a total of just 115 runs. Bangladesh, too, has its fair share of challenges with an inexperienced squad. Although they do have talents like all-rounder Afif Hossain and Test player Mahmudul Hasan Joy, the majority of their players lack significant international exposure. Facing a quality Pakistani bowling attack will undoubtedly be a tough test for Saif Hassan and his team. It is crucial that Bangladesh's top order, including Zakir Khan and Afif Hossain, lays a strong foundation to give Bangladesh a chance to succeed.

Parvez Hossain Emon, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Saif Hassan (c), Afif Hossain, Shahadat Hossain, Jaker Ali (wk), Rakibul Hasan, Hasan Murad, Mrittunjoy Chowdhury, Ripon Mondol

The weather forecast for Hangzhou on October 7 anticipates showers throughout the day, with a maximum temperature of 21 degrees Celsius. The Pingfeld Campus Cricket Field in Hangzhou, where the tournament is taking place, is renowned for its well-balanced pitch. While earlier matches witnessed high-scoring affairs, recent games have seen slower pitches that favor spinners. Considering pitch conditions and the recent form of teams, a competitive first-innings total is estimated to be around 135-140 runs.

Given the recent trend of low-scoring matches and the advantage of chasing on this pitch, it is likely that both captains will opt to bowl first. The preferred strategy will be to restrict the opposition to a below-par total, leveraging a strong spin-bowling attack. Chasing can still be challenging, but the momentum will likely favor the team that performs better in the first innings.

In a contest where both teams are struggling with their batting, the key to victory lies in the hands of their bowlers. Pakistan holds the upper hand with experienced T20 stars and several bowlers in good form, making them the favorites in this match. While the toss will be crucial, considering the overall squad strength, bowling consistency, and batting potential, Pakistan is our prediction to emerge victorious. Cricket enthusiasts can look forward to an exciting battle as these two teams compete for the third place in the Asian Games Men’s T20I 2023. We anticipate Pakistan winning this game.